Seeing Ye Wuyue’s demeanor, Gong Tianrui felt slightly unsettled.

In the spring of this year, Great Saint Yan Cheng, Li Kaide, visited Changning City. Although Gong Tianrui did not know the exact reason for Li Kaide’s visit to Changning City, he took the opportunity to meet this Great Saint and discussed the matter of Ye Wuyue.

The rapid rise of Ye Wuyue had been a topic of discussion in Wenxin Heaven for some time. Wenxin Heaven found it somewhat abnormal, but since her achievements were indeed impressive and with so many matters to attend to recently, they sought stability and therefore did not intervene.

The decree from Li Kaide was born under such circumstances.

Gong Tianrui understood that this Great Saint probably just wanted to observe Ye Wuyue more carefully to prevent potential problems. But what he wanted was merely the attitude of Wenxin Heaven, much like when he inquired of Pei Weiyi for her stance.

As someone who reached the pinnacle of power, Gong Tianrui was skilled at this.

He looked at the young Demon Extermination Bureau queen in the grand hall and let out a slow breath. He didn’t want to offend the Heaven-Questioning Sect, so the best approach was to give her an out, allowing her to resign voluntarily.

"Ye Zongsi, whether for the Shangjing Immortal Dynasty or Wenxin Heaven, your actions have been too overreaching. Even though the Demon Extermination Bureau is a special agency, there should be some regulations; otherwise, everything will fall into chaos."

Ye Wuyue felt as if she was stepping into an abyss. The events of the past years burst into her mind like fireworks. She suddenly realized her steps were too fast, too reckless, leaving many consequences behind. If she had been more steady, Gong Tianrui wouldn’t have so much against her.

Exhaustion washed over her like a tide; she had spent most of her energy dealing with the threats from the Greedy Demon Lord. So much so that at this moment, facing Gong Tianrui’s forceful move, she didn’t even have the energy to calmly think it through.

She slowly sat down, closed her eyes, and after some time, opened them again,

"Prime Minister Gong, do you know what the Demon Extermination Bureau is currently preparing for?"

Gong Tianrui replied warmly, "Do I really have to say it?"

Ye Wuyue smiled self-deprecatingly, "You’d probably say I have ulterior motives, wanting to kick Shangjing Immortal Dynasty’s people out of the Demon Extermination Bureau and establish my own power, correct?"

Gong Tianrui closed his eyes slightly.

Ye Wuyue took a deep breath, "But I have to tell you. The Immortal Continent, the Demon Extermination Bureau, is facing an unprecedented crisis. We must be spirited and respond with all our might."

"Oh? What kind of crisis?"

"...The Greedy Demon Lord has already arrived at the Immortal Continent," Ye Wuyue said, as if holding her last card.

Gong Tianrui said, "I haven’t received any such intelligence. Could it be that on such an important matter, Ye Zongsi chose to withhold information?"

Ye Wuyue frowned, "Because telling you all would only make the information common knowledge! Prime Minister Gong, search your heart; have you ever genuinely cared about the Demon Extermination Bureau, or earnestly wished for peace across the rivers and seas of the Immortal Continent?"

Gong Tianrui responded without omission, "Of course. But Gong Mou is a member of the Demon Extermination Bureau and also of the Shangjing Immortal Dynasty. Gong Mou would not allow anyone to exploit righteousness to harm the Immortal Dynasty. Moreover, as to whether the matter of the Greedy Demon Lord is true, Gong Mou expresses skepticism. Ye Zongsi, perhaps you can tell us how you came to know about this."

Ye Wuyue was about to speak about Jianshen San, but before the words left her mouth, she saw the eerie green glint in Gong Tianrui’s eyes, instantly realizing it was yet another of his traps.

Gong Tianrui maintained a righteous demeanor,

"If Ye Zongsi can’t say, let me say it. Jianshen San, with an unknown identity and suspicious origins, is only at the Mahayana realm but knows all the actions of demon cultivators. Has Ye Zongsi never questioned his motives? Or do you think his abilities can help you achieve unspeakable goals, so you conspire with him?"

"Don’t slander me!"

"Hmph, then bring Jianshen San out, and let us confront him!" Gong Tianrui shouted, "Someone, bring him up!"

Two Profound Armor Guards, clad in thick dark armor, escorted a man dressed in attire and decorations like ink wash into the grand hall.

Seeing this, Ye Wuyue’s heart surged with waves of shock.

She hadn’t anticipated Gong Tianrui would employ the Profound Armor Guard! These are the Imperial Palace’s guards, the Immortal Emperor’s private soldiers, second only to the Dragon Armor Guard. She thought, no wonder the Demon Extermination Bureau was so quietly taken over by Gong Tianrui. Likely, the entire Pianyu Square was surrounded by the Profound Armor Guard.

"What a thunderous means! Truly worthy of the Right Minister of the Immortal Dynasty!" Ye Wuyue gritted her teeth.

Gong Tianrui, righteous and selfless, revealed not a trace of personal desire,

"This is for the stability of the Immortal Dynasty! For anyone attempting to stir up trouble, thunderous methods should be employed!"

He suddenly looked at Jianshen San, "Today, we will verify his true identity." With that, he raised his hand and brought out a silver needle, "This is the Immortal Grade Soul-Searching Needle, capable of probing divine thoughts without harming the soul. Does Ye Zongsi have any objections?"

Seeing that silver-glittering Soul-Searching Needle, Ye Wuyue’s pupils constricted. She didn’t know Jianshen San’s exact identity but knew she absolutely couldn’t let Gong Tianrui verify it. Regardless of what Jianshen San’s true identity was or his purpose for coming to the Demon Extermination Bureau, once it was revealed, Gong Tianrui would have countless ways to kill Jianshen San.

Ye Wuyue sternly refused, "This is an act of robbery! Soul-searching is used for those with confirmed criminal identities. Where does Prime Minister Gong get the authority to declare Jianshen San a criminal?"

Gong Tianrui shook his head and said, "Ye Zongsi, must we tear off all pretenses? You very well know what crimes Jianshen San has committed."